You can see Girls & Boys and Amanda this November
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE PROVIDED
The Irish Film Festival London returns this month with a focus on stories of love, identity and resilience, foregrounding LGBTQIA+ experiences in contemporary Ireland. Running from 12–16 November across Vue West End, Vue Piccadilly and the ICA, the 2025 edition brings together a mix of new voices and established filmmakers exploring how Irish identity continues to evolve.
Among the highlights is Girls & Boys, the debut feature from Donncha Gilmore, screening on Saturday 15 November at Vue Piccadilly. Set over a single night in Dublin, the film follows Charli, a trans filmmaker, and Jace, a quiet rugby player, who meet at a Halloween party that is abruptly broken up by Gardaí. As the two wander through the city, their conversation moves from the mundane to the intimate, uncovering old wounds and unspoken fears. Gilmore’s film is a delicate and restrained portrait of connection, marked by a sense of melancholy and quiet hope.
Also screening at Vue Piccadilly, on Sunday 16 November, is Amanda, a feature-length documentary by José Miguel Jiménez. The film traces artist Amanda Cullen as she prepares for a retrospective of her work, using her paintings as a form of survival and reclamation after years of institutional abuse. Jiménez captures both the creative process and the act of confronting trauma, constructing an unflinching study of how art can become a means of rebuilding identity.
Together, the two films exemplify the festival’s continued commitment to showcasing Irish cinema that challenges convention and amplifies underrepresented voices.
Explore the full programme here: iftuk.com. Use code FRIEND for 20% off tickets.
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